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The Auburn City Council voted Thursday to authorize the municipal parking lot across from Memorial City Hall and the Auburn YMCA to be used as the site of a New York state regional welcoming center.

Welcome centers will be built in each of the state's 10 regions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo . Auburn was chosen as the site for central New York's representative facility, which will feature kiosks and a Taste NY market showcasing local food products and regional attractions.

Last week, Auburn Mayor Michael Quill in the parking lot property, 25 South St., next to the Seward House. With city officials committed to a downtown location for the facility, Quill said the .97-acre lot is an ideal space due to its central location along Route 34 and its proximity to the city's parking garage on William Street.

His fellow councilors agreed. The plan was authorized with a unanimous vote.

"I think it's going to tie all of our sites together as a starting point, while highlighting the rest of the Finger Lakes," said Councilor Jimmy Giannettino. "I think it's a win-win for everybody."

Details about the project — including site details and if there's any cost to the city — are unclear at this time. City Manager Jeff Dygert said city officials will speak with state representatives Friday about a timeline as well as guidelines that will go out to firms interested in project design.

The proposal was met with support from several who attended Thursday night's city council meeting. Stephanie DeVito, executive director of the Auburn Downtown Business Improvement District, said a welcome center in the "heart of downtown" will be great for foot traffic to navigate the city.

Chris Nucerino, chief executive officer of the Auburn YMCA, supports the project, though did say he is concerned with the impact on the fitness center's clients. Nucerino said he spoke with both Quill and Dygert earlier in the week about the project to address some of the concerns.

"We just want to ensure that it really is a safe point if we are going to encourage folks to access the garage, that they can get to the YMCA safely," he said.

In other news

• Councilors have signed off on a proposed series of repairs to the Auburn Police Department's headquarters.

The project calls for department-wide renovations to the North Street station, with a particular focus on the command center, public lobby and processing rooms.

City councilors voted unanimously to create a capital account to track the project's budget. The renovations will not be funded through the city general fund; rather, Auburn Police Chief Shawn Butler plans to utilize the APD's cache of funds from drug seizure operations to make the repairs.

Comptroller Laura Wills said the renovations will require both local and federal seizure funds accrued by the APD. With the council vote, APD's allotment of $96,058.52 in local seizure funds was transferred into the project's capital account.